The Abyssal Watch

The Abyssal Watch is the unique organization placed directly over The Pit. A massive fortress complex over the now completely consumed area of The Golden Plains in which Harbinger nad A'akaro struck their final sword-blows before the hero would ultimately lose and be sent cast into the Abyss, it is practically a small city unto its own. Housing a massive garrison of their own, they watch and protect against the one thing that emerges from The Pit, that permanent scar in the land that Harbinger opened up when he struck and ultimately shattered A'akaro's first blade, Hopebringer, the legendary blade exploding and sundering the earth permanently and irrevocably.   After the war, it was noted that the rate of demons emerging seemed to be growing and required action, at which point Harbinger and Shakan issued a decree for a garrison to be positioned permanently until a solution could be found. Years passed, and the garrison that was a camp turned into a base, then into a fortress, to a major bastion, and now a sprawling city built around and even over the yawning pit into the Abyss itself. Indeed, long suspensions rope bridges swing across the massive hole that has been noted to slightly grow with every passing year at a small but noticeable rate.   The Abyssalal Watch was officially established after a large horde of demons came storming out of the Abyss and up the gravel and shale descent upwards to the lip of the Earth. This was in 15 Ler, 237. The battle that ensued was one of legend, with legends amongst their ranks rising to the occassion. Who would become their first Watcher General, Hyletha Garsen, would lead a heroic counterattack down to the very edge of the Pit itself, pushing the final demons off.   After this, the need for a separate, official new military unit was seen and the Abyssal Watch was born, with Watcher General Garsen leading them to new glory. With their newfound independence, a larger, more impressive redoubt and fortress system was lobbied for, as Imperial scholars analyzed the new patterns of behavior and indicated that future invasion forces from The Pit could prove to be much, much, much larger.    While somewhat an organization of prestige to be a part of, there is a section of those who bear shame in their prior lives. For the life of an Abyssal Watch member is bound to their order. For all who join take 'Oath of the Watcher', a permanent contract with the organization until their life does leave their body. Bound to serve the Watch for all time, they are seen often times as a grim, dour group to keep company of. Despite this, there are those who join out of their own volition, seeking to serve. Unfortunately for all, The Abyssal Watch does far, far more than just watch the pit. After various major assaults, sieges, and more, the decision was made to install a new system and new policy. Offense was now just as important as defense.   Now they would engage in frequent, powerful, aggressive strikes into The Abyss itself. Only the upper layers, to cleanse relevant areas and prevent mass gatherings of demons. As such, the turnover and attrition rate in the Watch is very, very high. Those numbers are maintained by one particular group: criminals. For most even moderate crimes in The Empire, death is the punishment. So for those who offer clemency to one of their ilk just before execution is a blessing. Before someone is executed, they are asked one final time if they choose to forgo taking the Oath, and accepting their death. And many, many have declined, but just as many have eagerly and proudly proclaimed they would, and do serve.   For it is a brutal and savage life, that of a Watch member. The weak are killed off quick, by demon, corruption, disease, or pure madness, the strong thrive, and the lucky just survive. Raids into The Abyss can take weeks, even months. Entire companies go missing, returning after experiencing severe time dilation, some somehow returning before they even left. The layers of The Abyss and their myriad of effects are still being studied but it appears that some layers operate time differently than others or the Material Plane. As such, all Abbys Walks are considered a sort of funeral date, and as such before descending the massive and rattling elevator cages that go to Base Camp Abyss-01, they are given protective funeral rites, anti corruption holy water, oils sprayed onto their armor and blades, given black petaled roses, and more.    And then they descend, to be torn apart by the savage demons that lie down there, all while seeking to push back the darkness and prevent it from overtaking their glorious Empire.